The mischievous boys would crawl out of bed in the morning, not even having time to fasten their cotton-padded coats, and would grab their schoolbags and run to school.
After school, I would always try to find a chance to go to the riverbank.
Seeing that the ice had frozen solid, they frantically brought out their ice sleds, whips, and ice tops, shouting and yelling as they rushed towards the riverbank.
It wasn't until dark that their mothers came looking for them, pulling on their ears to drag them home reluctantly.
The elderly preferred to gather in Uncle Zhao's courtyard, find a sheltered, sunny spot, and light a fire.
The old men were weaving willow baskets in their hands, talking about the past and present.
Occasionally, when the mood strikes, they might stay for a drink in the evening, then go home slightly tipsy to sleep on a warm kang (heated brick bed).
Old Hei and his group have been back for over ten days now.
Everyone has gained weight and slept enough, so they're starting to feel restless again.
That day, Lao Hei went to the Li family's courtyard to pay his respects. Upon seeing the young master, he said, "Princess, there's still more than a month until the New Year. It's not good for us to be idle like this. Do you have any tasks for me?"
Jiayin found it amusing; there really are people in this world who can't stay idle.
But she was also worried because there really weren't any good jobs available right now.
It's too far to go to Chuanzhou Prefecture; I definitely won't be able to get back before the New Year.
You can be away for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but you can't miss the family reunion for the Lunar New Year.
If we go to nearby places, there's nothing to do.
She could only pack a basket of fruit for Lao Hei and send him back first.
Old Mrs. Li was doing needlework with Mrs. Wen and Wenjuan on the kang (a heated brick bed). Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wen's heart stirred.
She said to Jiayin, "Fu Niu'er, when Mr. Guo passed away, he told Wenhao to move his parents' remains over so that they could rebuild their graves together."
"Should we ask Wenhao if he's interested, and if so, should he go with Lao Hei and the others?"
Jiayin's eyes lit up, and she nodded.
Back then, the Guo family members were buried by the villagers. Even now, when they talk about that tragic scene, the villagers still sigh and can't forget it.
If we can help Guo Wenhao bring back the remains of these poor people and give them a proper burial, the villagers will be relieved of a small worry.
“Alright, Aunt. Have someone ask Guo Wenhao. There’s more than a month before the New Year, which is enough time to make a trip.” Jiayin nodded and added, “Winter is cold and the roads are difficult to travel, but the barbarians are also inconvenient to move around, so it’s a good time to go to the north.”
Madam Wen immediately sent Sister-in-law Qiong back for a visit, and also to check on her own estate.
The couple moved to Suijintan and never went back, also to prevent their servants from causing trouble if they were left unsupervised.
In the afternoon, Sister-in-law Qiong returned.
"Madam, Princess, Young Master Wenhao said he is grateful to the Princess for lending him manpower. He wants to go to Jiangbei with the group to personally bring back the remains of his parents and elders."
"He covered all the expenses throughout the trip, and even paid an extra three hundred taels of silver as a hardship fee."
Jiayin called Lao Hei over, explained the matter, and Lao Hei immediately agreed.
They had fought together in Jiangbei before and were quite familiar with each other.
Besides, this time it's just going into the mountains to retrieve bones, which isn't a difficult task.
So, after a day of preparation, the next day, Lao Hei's team, including the young Guo Wenhao, quickly set off.
Mr. Wen felt sorry for his young disciple who was all alone and wanted to persuade him to stay, while only letting Lao Hei and the others go into the mountains.
But Guo Wenhao insisted on fulfilling his filial duty, and Mr. Wen had no choice but to let him go.
A light snow fell gently, and a large bowl of sauerkraut stewed pork bones was added to the Li family's dinner table.
The family would serve a bowl, sprinkle some roasted chili peppers on top, and drink it. The sour and spicy taste would easily drive away all the cold.
It was rare for Doctor Zhang to leave his small courtyard and come to the Li family's house for a feast.
After he had eaten and drunk his fill, as he was leaving, he said, "Who was it that sought medical help earlier? I'll have the patient come over tomorrow when I'm free."
Old Mrs. Li was overjoyed and quickly sent someone to the city to inform Madam Jia.
So, the next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Madam Jia and Baozhu accompanied Madam Xing and her daughter to Suijin Beach.
Tao Hongying and Madam Wen stood at the door, greeting them with smiles.
Jiayin and Baozhu hugged each other as soon as they met, chattering and laughing non-stop.
Madam Xing's face was unhealthy and pale; perhaps she had put on makeup carefully to maintain a presentable appearance.
Unfortunately, she was bedridden for many years, and her skin was dry and loose. When she applied makeup, it didn't adhere well at all and instead looked more deliberate.
Miss Wan'er wore a light blue jacket, paired with an ivory-colored horse-face skirt, and a lotus-green cloak over it, still dignified and gentle.
She supported her mother the whole time, and even with maids and servants around, she never left her side, showing that she was a filial and thoughtful person.
The group arrived at the main room and met Old Lady Li.
When Old Lady Li first met Miss Wan'er, she fell in love with her almost at first sight.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Xing, she grabbed Wan'er and wouldn't let go, saying repeatedly.
"Madam Xing, how did you raise such a wonderful girl? Our family really needs to learn from your experience!"
“Look, Miss Wan’er is beautiful and dignified. And look at our girl, she’s always jumping around like a monkey, she’s a real headache. If she had even a third of Wan’er’s composure, I wouldn’t have to worry about her.”
Jiayin and Baozhu were holding fruit baskets and picking out the biggest and reddest one.
Suddenly sensing her grandmother's slightly disdainful gaze, she quickly protested, "Grandma, I'm your own granddaughter. Don't be so fickle! Now that a pretty older sister has come to the house, you don't love Fu Niu'er anymore?"
Everyone laughed upon hearing this, and Madam Xing quickly said, "The princess is so clever and adorable, how could the old lady not like her! It was just a few words of jokes!"
"I've always been in poor health, which has burdened Wan'er, forcing her to manage the household at such a young age. I have to put on a stern face to keep everyone in line. Actually, when she was little, Wan'er was just as lively as a princess."
After saying that, she couldn't help but feel a tickle in her throat, so she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed again.
Perhaps fearing that people would find her distasteful, she explained while coughing, "I... cough, cough cough, it's just a person."
Seeing how pitiful they were, everyone tried to comfort them.
"Madam Xing, please don't worry. Quickly drink some tea to moisten your throat."
"Peeling an orange will help suppress your cough."
Xing Wan'er fed her mother tea and helped pat her vest, her movements extremely practiced.
Although she quickly calmed her mother down, it still made everyone feel sorry for her.
"Shui Ling, hurry and go fetch Doctor Zhang. After he examines you, everyone will feel at ease," Old Lady Li instructed, and Shui Ling immediately ran off.
Soon, Dr. Zhang walked into the courtyard with his hands behind his back, followed by Shui Ling carrying the medicine box, who secretly made a hand gesture to Jia Yin.
Jiayin quickly asked Baozhu in a low voice. Baozhu jumped down from halfway through eating the fruit, ran to her old woman, and grabbed a long box.
As soon as everyone stood up to greet Doctor Zhang, they noticed that he looked unwell and were somewhat embarrassed and puzzled.
As a result, Baozhu ran over and stuffed the long box into Doctor Zhang's hands.
"Grandpa Zhang, these are the medicinal herbs my mother went through so much trouble to find. Please, I beg you, you must cure my aunt!"
Doctor Zhang twitched his nose twice, quickly opened the box, and immediately put on a smiling face, "A century-old He Shou Wu! Where did you find this?"
Madam Jia breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "This is a New Year's gift from a friend of my master's who sent it a couple of years ago. Our family doesn't know anything about medicine, so there's no use keeping such good medicinal herbs."
"I came here this time with the intention of presenting it to the divine doctor, so that it won't be left to gather dust in our home."
Doctor Zhang coughed twice, feeling a little guilty as he recalled his poor attitude earlier. He replied, "I got up early and was having a headache because I couldn't concoct a prescription. I was quite anxious."
"However, this Polygonum multiflorum solves a major problem. Here's what I'll do: I'll examine the patient first. If I can't cure him, then I can't accept this Polygonum multiflorum!"
He said that, but he didn't put the box down.
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